Harijans demand safe housing, 80pc job quota

Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad on Friday demanded safe and permanent housing for the Harijan community, an 80 per cent quota in recruitment for sanitation services, and regularisation of long-serving temporary cleaning staff, placing a seven-point charter of demands before the government.

The alliance of the marginalised cleaning community came up with the demands at a human chain programme arranged in front of the National Press Club in the capital.

Leaders of the organisation said the Harijan community continues to face inequality in education, healthcare, employment and social dignity despite making a significant contribution to the country's sanitation and public health services.

Its President Lebu Basfor, General Secretary Bimal Dom, former president Krishna Lal, Adviser Baiju Lal Sardar and Senior Vice-President Krishna Charan Kunjamal spoke at the human chain.

They pointed out that Harijan sanitation workers play a vital role in maintaining urban cleanliness, protecting public health and ensuring essential civic services. Expressing concern over the employment conditions of the community, they said many sanitation workers who have served for years are still employed on temporary or daily-wage contracts, while the widespread use of outsourcing has increased job insecurity, leaving them vulnerable to financial hardship and social exclusion.

In its seven-point charter of demands, the organisation called for safe, healthy and permanent housing for the Harijan community.

The organisation said that the implementation of the demands would not only improve the socio-economic conditions of the Harijan community but also strengthen the country's public service and sanitation systems.

Leaders urged the government and relevant authorities, including the Prime Minister, to take effective steps to address their problems without delay.